# Crucially "back to the rootz" clash of the generations extravaganza
human female btw
## What
We want to do a GW1 playthrough to enjoy the OG clunky movement, dated cutscenes, story of our ancestors and unlimited skill variety that comes with this game.

## Why
To celebrate the recent GW2 expansion End of Dragons, to fill in any plot/lore holes, to overcome the inevitable content drought in GW2 until new strikes, legendaries, raids are released and to respect our elders.


Guild Wars 1 connects many missing dots in the Guild Wars universe and is a outstanding, critically acclaimed, oscar nominated, grammy award winning "MMO" and just for ***YOU***!

## How
In order to participate you will need to:
1. Own the [full game](https://store.guildwars.com/en-us/product/guild-wars-complete-collection) (or via steam, but with very confusing purchasing options)
2. optional: Link your GW1 to your GW2 account to get them [juicy titles + rewards](https://hom.guildwars2.com/en/#page=welcome)
4. Enjoy the journey. This may include light RP and a story focused playthrough

## Who
Everyone who is willing to play some lighthearted Guild Wars on a semi-regular basis to progress through the origins of Tyria and the Elder Dragons (without crystal and void and prismatic energies I promise).
I would only require vets to get a new character going and not overdo it with already aquired gear/wealth.

The group size in GW1 is between 4 and 8 (4 or 6 only in the tutorial areas, 8 in most of the game), so if we SOMEHOW get more than that, we can find a way to to include everyone!
Open slots will be filled with random players or NPC Henchmen/Heroes.

## When
We will first try to find a schedule that suits everyone and depending on enjoyment or interest we can increase or decrease the frequency.

Please fill out the following [poll](https://strawpoll.de/f34ww8a).
Multiple answers are possible and encouraged.

Also shoot me a msg in discord (seidlaseiler#7586) so I know who is joining.

Down the line I will make a more speccific poll with dates and times to choose from! (Will be updated here)

## Diving Deeper
### What type of game is GW1
Guild Wars was marketed as a MMORPG but it lacks some core concepts you might expect from one.
The whole game world is instanced and you will only be able to see other players in the cities/outposts. There you can change your skills and attributes aswell.
Character progression is pretty horizontal like GW2. The maximum level (20) can be reached quite early and the best armors and weapons are really inexpensive.

GW1 also prides itself with its fashion wars where you can mix and match armors and dyes to maximize Booba/Cocka.
(some of my chars)

GW1 was also really focused on PvP! You could even make PvP characters with max gear and level to participate (similar how you can PvP with any char in GW2).
PvP was the absolute peak for titles and even rare weapon skins! PvP was so tied into the game that your continent had to win multiple rounds of high end PvP so PvE players could even ENTER the most lucrative farming spots in the game - the underworld and the fissure of woe.
Today PvP is only active during peak hours or the weekend.

### Expansion Model
Guild Wars Prophecies, Factions and Nightfall can be played as standalone games but one character can travel to all places from the different expansions aswell.
Each Expansion has its own set of unlockable skills and its own story (some story elements are told over multiple expansions).
Some classes are gated behind specific expansion, so the first few hours can be differnt depending on in which expansion you create your character in.
#### Prophecies (base game)
This game has a **heavy** classical RPG vibe to it. It has countless side-quests, confusing skill and skillpoint aquisition and really long-stretched zones. This was peak RPG level where you can be easily lost without any guidance.
The GW1 wiki is still one of the best out there though!
> Side note: Prophecies has a seperate tutorial world called "Pre-searing" where some characters stay their entire playtime and reach the title "*Legendary Defender of Ascalon*".

#### Factions (1st Expansion / Standalone)
Anet realized that the Prophecies might be too sluggish for new players so they really ramped up the progression curve in Factions. You can reach max level within hours of play. The story is to this day one of the most beloved (as you can see with the excitement for EoD) and imo rightfully so.
You get to travel through a very convoluted Kaineng city and eventually reach the Echovald and the Jade Sea. Probably the most popular GW1 expansion.
#### Nightfall (2nd Expansion / Standalone)
The developers turned the progression down again to reach a very enjoyable middleground for old and new players alike. In Nightfall (PoF in GW2) you get to travel through the sandy world of Elona and witness Kormirs journey to godhood. Eventually you will know why [Nobody likes Kormir](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxmkAoLC6_4). (**VIDEO CONTAINS STORY SPOILERS**)
#### Eye of the North (3rd Expansion)
With EotN Anet started hinting at the new game they had in store for us.
> side note: GW1 was supposed to get a 3rd standalone expansion called "Utopia" with the new class "Chronomancer".

EotN brought many QoL features to the game and many new and exciting (PvE) skills. Here you will uncover mysteries about the elder dragons (especially Primordus) and see the confilct between charrs and humans firsthand.
It also introduces the franchise to the Norn and Asura.

### Classes
Depedning on which expansion you start in, you will have access to different classes and starting zones. No worries, all content can be completed starting from any expansion!
The 6 base classes are:
1. **Warrior**: Axe/Sword/Hammer wielding meele focused brawler; Can spec into tactics to support their team with shouts.
2. **Ranger**: Bow wielding archer; Has access to real pet focused builds through beastmastery and can be what untamed can only dream of; Very diverse (Trapper, Bow, Pet, Hammer, Spirits)
3. **Monk**: A dedicated healer with some smiting capabilities. Can choose between protection (mitigation) and healing. Has many useful boons and only really shines in group play; Has access to one of the most unique farming builds - the [55HP Monk](https://gwpvx.fandom.com/wiki/Build:Mo/any_55hp_Farmer)
5. **Necromancer**: Has access to tons of hexes via cursing the enemy or life leeching when choosing blood magic; It has a real minion master build where you can command up to 12 undead creatures and try to keep them alive (or sacrifice them)
6. **Memser**: Mesmers don't have clones in GW1 and are more focused on interrupting and disrupting the enemies. You can drain their energy, make them cast slower or overwhelm groups with armor ignoring damage spikes
7. **Elementalist**: Your loadout will more often then not be focused on a single element (with exceptions). This fulfills the real ranged elementalist fantasy you are so dearly missing in GW2. You can cast down mutliple meteor showers on the enemies or play a defensive earth attuned frontlinier.
Whith factions 2 new classes where introduced:
1. **Assassin**: Dagger wielding killers who perform combos with their skills to unleashed a chain of pain. One of the best solo farmers, very nimble with shadow steps and movement speed increases. Can be played as a deadly art caster or wielding a bow to crit enemies from afar.
2. **Ritualist**: Ritualists can summon spirits from the mist that can either damage the enemies or support your team. It can also cast weapon effects on allies to augment their attacks! Can be played as a healer, support, damage dealer with or without spirits.
Nightfall introduced the last two classes to the game:
1. **Paragon**: Spear wielding heavy armored phalanx style warrior. Focuses on singing and chanting to support allies or augment their attacks to inflict various effects. Has the strongest group support build in the game - the [IMBAgon](https://gwpvx.fandom.com/wiki/Build:P/W_Imbagon)! Really shines in group content.
2. **Dervish**: Why is this not in GW2? Dervishes wield scythes to unleash heavy AoE attacks enhanced by their earth enchantments. They can channel the gods and become avatars of them. One of the most popular classes due to heavy damage, insane sustain and overall farming possibilities.

### Dual Class System
After reaching certain story steps in the expansions, you will be able to to choose a secondary class(profession) for yourself.
This will increase the build diversity and complexity of your class. You can change your secondary class in every city/outpost, so don't be afraid to try them all.
There are so many synergies between classes that builds with only skills from your main class are pretty rare.

### Skill System


The skill system can be pretty overwheling in GW1. There are around **3500(!)** skills in the game and you will be able to mix and match from all skills from your primary and secondary class.
Most of the skills will scale with certain attributes you can allocate points to or increase by skills and equipment.

Creating a build in GW1 is more like crafting a deck in Hearthstone or MTG. You want to build on certain synergies with your team and your skills/class combination.

This makes build and teamcraft in Guild Wars incredible deep and rewarding.
**BUT**: GW1 has a proper team and build template system. Where an *UNLIMITED* number of builds can be stored and shared (winky winky fu gw2 smile).

One of *my* favorite things about the build system is:
Enemies will also have the same skills you have access to! Getting crushed by a boss? You know which skills to counter or just copy their OP build.
While progressing in hardmode and EoTN, enemies will have close to meta builds and even dual class. Ouchy.

### Endgame
GW1 has a suprisingly diverse endgame! Besides PvP you have multiple Dungeons from EotN, elite areas in the Underworld, the Fissure of Woe, The Deep (12man Luxon), Urgoz Warren(12man Kurzick), Domain of Anguish (Nightfall) and many more!
To even beat those zones you will have to have a well coordinated team with optimized builds and gear, even in normal mode.

That's right, there is also **hard mode**. By reaching level 20 your character will be able to switch the whole game into hard mode, where enemies have better builds, higher level and better loot.
There is a whole list of titles that can only be completed in this mode.

### Rough Story Overview - connections to GW2 (spoilerish)

<details>
<summary>Prophecies</summary>

Charr bad, run run run, white mantle, shining blade, bloodstone & more!
</details>
<details>
<summary>Factions</summary>

Shiro, Kaineng, corruption, Luxon (Archemorus), Kurzick (Saint Viktor), Harvest Temple
</details>
<details>
<summary>Nightfall</summary>

Kormir, Istan, Palawa Joko, Abbadon
</details>
<details>
<summary>Eye of the North</summary>

Asura, Norn, Dwarfs, Destroyer, first hints of Elder Dragons
</details>